Downsizing Continues

[Bob Denman]

This could all just simply be a function of the costs...

including the cost of all of the complexities of the Big Diesel-Pushers.

[eldiee]

We have gone down to a class C after two class A coaches. Our age and how we use our RV has caused us to downsize to a 2018 Four Winds 24f. So far we are enjoying the ease of driving and quieter cab. The hard bumping on bridge expansion joints has all but disappeared. Easier to set up and adequate storage in a compact package is an blessing as you get older. Better mileage compared to our A is another positive.Because it has a deep full wall slide it doesn't seem as small as it is when parked.

[Chance]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

This could all just simply be a function of the costs...

including the cost of all of the complexities of the Big Diesel-Pushers.

We didn’t downsize from a small C to a van-size camper to save on costs, but a very rough ballpark estimate for us is at least $600/month; much of it realized by being able to park at home and use it occasionally as a second car, thereby eliminating one other vehicle.

$200/month parking

$200/month second car

$100/month fuel savings

$100/month lower repairs, tires, etc.

Fuel difference roughly based on 16 vs 8 MPG at $3/gal X 6,400 miles/yr. We could easily exceed that driving distance touring the US.

I don’t track costs closely, so difference could be higher. I expect that downsizing from a large rig to one the size of an Axis or a small C doesn’t save quite as much. Anything larger than a van we can’t park at home, so would wipe out much of our savings. Again, cost isn’t the reason we downsized, but it’s a nice perk.

[Bob Denman]

The money isn't important: until it's "Bill-Paying" time!

[Laco]

Cost wasn't the issue when we downsized from the 41 foot pusher. It was all about how we now travel, the fact that its now just the two of us, the convenience factor and ease of use. We in fact spent thousands doing upgrades to the Gemini, so it would have the conveniences on board that we liked on the DP, to make it more usable for us. The fact that it gets between 17 and 18 MPG instead of 6.5 MPG is certainly not an unpleasant perk, but wasn't a major factor in our decision.

[Travelin' Texans]

I'm curious, as I mentioned early on, you that are claiming 16-17-18 mpg aren't getting that with the Ford V10 chassis, all must be the Mercedes??
That kind of mileage on the Ford is not possible! Unless you've added wings or sails!

[Bob Denman]

They could also be in Transits...

Or have one heckuva strong tailwind behind their V-10s!

[JamieGeek]

Originally Posted by Travelin' Texans

I'm curious, as I mentioned early on, you that are claiming 16-17-18 mpg aren't getting that with the Ford V10 chassis, all must be the Mercedes??
That kind of mileage on the Ford is not possible! Unless you've added wings or sails!

Gemini's are either Mercedes or Ford Transit Diesel's.

[Laco]

Originally Posted by Travelin' Texans

I'm curious, as I mentioned early on, you that are claiming 16-17-18 mpg aren't getting that with the Ford V10 chassis, all must be the Mercedes??
That kind of mileage on the Ford is not possible! Unless you've added wings or sails!

The TX is indeed on the Mercedes Sprinter 3500 chassis, uses a 3.0L V6 diesel engine.

[Kev]

Originally Posted by Chance

We didn’t downsize from a small C to a van-size camper to save on costs, but a very rough ballpark estimate for us is at least $600/month; much of it realized by being able to park at home and use it occasionally as a second car, thereby eliminating one other vehicle.

$200/month parking

$200/month second car

$100/month fuel savings

$100/month lower repairs, tires, etc.

Fuel difference roughly based on 16 vs 8 MPG at $3/gal X 6,400 miles/yr. We could easily exceed that driving distance touring the US.

I don’t track costs closely, so difference could be higher. I expect that downsizing from a large rig to one the size of an Axis or a small C doesn’t save quite as much. Anything larger than a van we can’t park at home, so would wipe out much of our savings. Again, cost isn’t the reason we downsized, but it’s a nice perk.

It costs me 50.00 month parking or if i want 99.00 for covered.
Smart car as a second car is paid for and can be also used as a toad.
100.00 a month repairs?
100.00 fuel savings a month maybe if your are retired and do a lot of camping.

[vkb]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

They could also be in Transits...

Or have one heckuva strong tailwind behind their V-10s!

That Travato 24foot, we looked at, was on a Transit w/ v-6 .. they claim 16-18 mpg.
Ron is still unsure if he wants to downsize to a camper van … we could just quit camping all together..and travel by car when we don't want to fly. Our biggest problem with giving up RV life/travel … is we are spoiled by all the amenities we have in our Axis/RV …
#1 on my list is I LIKE SLEEPING IN MY OWN BED !! all the other goodies we love about RVlife/camping are a close 2nd !!

[Chance]

Originally Posted by Travelin' Texans

I'm curious, as I mentioned early on, you that are claiming 16-17-18 mpg aren't getting that with the Ford V10 chassis, all must be the Mercedes??
That kind of mileage on the Ford is not possible! Unless you've added wings or sails!

The Ford V10 in E-350 can get in that MPG range only in a much smaller van (now discontinued) and only when driven slowly. I’m talking about a van that’s only half the weight and has approximately half the frontal area of an Axis or Vegas. Additionally, gearing is much taller.

At steady speeds, I get approximately the following:

13 MPG at steady 80 MPH
14 at 75
15 at 70
16 at 65
17 at 60

I normally cruise at 70 ~ 75 MPH and average in the 14s.

That’s without towing. With a large trailer it drops off comparable to most large motorhomes, 8~10 MPG depending on speed.

From my perspective it isn’t the V10 that’s that bad, just the load it has to pull.



By the way, Transit-based gasoline V6 Class B+ rigs (same size as Gemini/Compass) are reportedly getting around 12 MPG. Certainly not as good as the diesel, but not bad compared to much smaller vans. To me that 12 MPG range seems a good compromise between size and fuel economy.

[Summerwind]

Originally Posted by vkb

#1 on my list is I LIKE SLEEPING IN MY OWN BED !! all the other goodies we love about RVlife/camping are a close 2nd !!

Vkb points
The time it takes to transfer all your 'amenities' from home to car from car to airport from airport to car from car to hotel
OK not a selling point? (it is for me)

How about a true story

Co workers of family were sent to a work conference. A fairly upscale hotel chain at company cost.
Returned home to kids asking, "What is behind the pictures Daddy?"

You guessed it,
BED BUGS
and they are getting more common
6 months on still burning all the stuff in their house and the saga continues
I doubt this is the FIRST thought on anyone's mind lol and you could stay 2-3 years prob daily for the cost of these
But how much is the stuff in your house worth?
Back on track
Blogs we are the Russos etc live full time van
They cite cost specifically had a rock chip to windshield even with ins, still $$
But my #1 still lean heavily that goes with cost, SPACE
and they mention that specifically
N=1 sample size
Still that's how I first messed up, size
In my case I went too small for number of peeps though

[Laco]

We too considered just not RV'ing any longer, but there are parts of it we really enjoy. There are places up and down the California coast we love to go to, and we always take our dog with us. Its just easier for us to travel in an RV, and for us the drastic downsize keeps us in the RV game longer.

[vkb]

Laco and Sumerwind … I think we are all on the same page. We hate the thought of giving up RVing and will not do so until such a time dictates.
Regarding hotel/motel stays … we have a couple horror stories from our earlier years of married life.
As I stated before, I/we love our own beds and being able to stay at different areas of the country at will...add to that, meeting folks at campgrounds never gets old.

We may or may not downsize...this summer will tell. One thing for sure,..we have no regrets.


Happy camping !

Ron and Kay

[Bob Denman]

The best of luck to you: in whichever direction your decision takes you!

[Chance]

Thor earnings are under pressure due to tariffs, so CEO stated they are looking at “de-contenting” their higher end units.


Thor Finds Ways To Counteract Tariff Pressures | RV Business


I would guess that “higher-end” units are being affected by higher prices even more, but I wonder why they don’t de-content lower-end RVs too? Unless he means something different by “higher end”.

It seems all RVs need steel and aluminum, not just the more expensive ones.

[Bob Denman]

Perhaps it's because the high-end units simply have more "stuff" that can be jettisoned...

[JamieGeek]

Or the higher end units have more imported stuff that would get a tariff..?

and a bigger unit would use more steel & aluminum.

[Bob Denman]

True... But it'd be pretty tough to remove the steel & aluminum; from the physically larger units...